Gewandhausorchester / Andris Nelsons BRUCKNER Symphony No. 3

With a strong sense of emotional involvement Nelsons breathes life into this wonderful score directing a performance of elevated quality. With ideal weight the cultured playing of the Gewandhausorchester has a steadfast unity of a grade rarely achieved but it never comes at the cost of expression. Impressive too is how Nelsons shapes the phrases with such authority. Glorious too is the quality of the intonation and vibrant tone colour achieved by the orchestra, conspicuously the brass section with its gleaming golden hue . . . In the opening movement Nelsons conveys a strong feeling of grandeur, bold and positive in mood providing a convincing forward momentum. The treasurable second movement Adagio is exquisitely performed by the Leipzig players with Nelsons setting an ideal pace . . . Nelsons' uplifting Scherzo in the dramatic passages is punchy in its urgency and contrasts with the delightful, feathery Austrian "Ländler". It's easy to savour the sense of Alpine majesty that Nelsons creates in the remarkable final movement, sustaining an especially splendid flow which feels persuasive. The section with the joyous Polka over the solemn Chorale sounds especially impressive and after the conclusion of the symphony I can't resist repeating this section again . . . [Wagner]: In a gripping performance Nelsons conducts the "Tannhäuser Overture" with surefire conviction. The Gewandhausorchester respond to his lead with all the expressive zeal and breath-taking virtuosity which one has come to expect. Exceptional is the velvety legato and tonal beauty of the prominent horns. Nelsons interpretation is first class . . . (Michael Cookson /MusicWeb International)